Mixing valve



Jan. 13, 1953 w. v. JORDAN 2,525,331

MIXING VALVE Filed Dec. 13, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

WILLIAM V. JORDAN JWW- Jan. 13, 1953 w. v. JORDAN 2,6 3

MIXING VALVE Filed Dec. 15, 1949 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

WILL |AM V. JORDAN BY W. V. JORDAN Jan. 13, 1953 MIXING VALVE 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 13, 1949 INVENTOR. WILLIAM V. JORDAN ATTORN YPatented Jan. 13, 1953 MIXING VALVE William V. Jordan, Lebanon, Ohio,assignor to Jordan Regulator Corporation, Lebanon, Ohio, a corporationof Ohio Application December 13, 1949, Serial No. 132,777

10 Claims.

This invention relates to mixing valves and more particularly to amixing valve having operatively associated therewith thermal responsiveactuator means which will automatically and continuously proportion theflow of fluids being mixed whereby to provide a substantially uniformtemperature in the resultant mixture.

An object of the invention is to provide a mixing valve characterized byits extreme sensitivity to temperature fluctuations in the resultantmixture whereby the overall temperature will be constantly maintained atany preselected value.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mixing valve which,though extremely sensitive in its operating characteristics, isnevertheless quite durable, dependable and rugged, whereby to adequatelywithstand the knocks and abuse to which such valves are subjected incommercial installations.

Still another object of the invention is to pro-' vide a mixing valvehaving a spring-biased sliding gate valve which is actuated by means ofa control rod extending outwardly from the valve.

housing, wherein suitable control rod actuating means are disposed onsaid rod and located externally of the valve housing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mixing valve havingthe hereinabove described characteristics which also includes means forcontrolling the volume of fluid passing through the device. a

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved mixingvalve which is ideally adapted to be produced usingmodernmass-production techniques.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein andas disclosed in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a side plan view of a mixing valve embodying the teachings ofthe present invention.

. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the valve mechanism of Fig. 1.

- Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the orifice plate and sliding valveassemblage comprising a detail of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a volume control comprising adetail of the present invention.

- Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 4.

With reference now to Fig. 2, it will be observed that the instant valvecomprises three chambers denoted generally by the letters A. B and C.

Chambers A, B and C will hereinafter be referred to as the first, secondand third chambers, respectively. Each of said chambers is provided witha port in open communication with the interior thereof designated by thenumerals l0, l2 and I4, respectively.

An orifice plate I6 is provided between the third chamber and each ofthe first and second chambers, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4.Said'oriflce plate may, if desired, be securely though releasablyanchored in place by means of the action of fastening elements H8.

The orifice plate is provided with a pair of ports I8 and 20. Port I8 isdisposed in interconnecting relationship between chambers A and 0,whereas port 20 is disposed in interconnecting relationship withchambers B and C, it being noted that chambers A and B are entirelyselfcontained and are separated from one another by barrier l9.

Fluid introduced into chambers A and B will.

be discharged, through. ports l8 and 20, respectively, into chamber C,which comprises a mixing chamber from which the mixed fluids will bedischarged through port 14.

A slide valve 30 is located within chamber C wherein the dimensionalcharacteristics of the valve are such as to selectively engage ports isand 20 for proportionately varying their relative openings. That is,when one of the ports in the.

orifice plate has been closed, the other port therethrough will havebeen completely opened.

With reference now to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be member 42.

one each on top of and in overhanging relationship with an element 44.

The operating characteristics of slide valve 38 are controlled byactuator rod 58, one end of which is secured to a coupling element 52,which may include anintegrally formed, downwardly extending guideportion 54, the free lower end of which is slidably receivable withinsocket 56 provided in housing 58. A pin 68 operatively interconnectscoupling element 52 and valve 30 as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2.Suitable packing denotedgenerally by the numeral 62 and a packing glandnut 64 may be utilized for effecting a fluid-tight seal which willpermit axial motion of actuator rod 50 relative to housing 58.

A housing denoted generally by the, numeral III is secured in spacedrelationship to housing 58 by means of a bracket or bonnet cage 12,which includes an intermediate element 14 spaced between lower plate 16and upper-plate I8. Housing 'lIlcomprises, in reality; two parts,anupper or dome portion 80 and a lower portion 82. A diaphragm 84 isdisposed in spanningrelationship across and between portions 88 and 82,the peripheral edges of saiddiaphragm being securely and permanentlyanchored to the adjacent portions of members 80 and 82 such as, by wayof example, by silver solder, orthe like; thereby dividing housingIllinto an upper chamber-D and a lower chamber E.

That end of actuator rod 50-remote-irom slide valve 30 is threadablyreceived within a diaphragm pressure nut 86, the upper portion of whichterminates in an enlarged bearing member 88, which is constructed andarranged to abuttingly engage the lower face of diaphragm 84.

It will be observed that the diaphragm pressure nut is dimensioned forfree axial slidingmovement with respect to housing I and upper plate I8of bracket 12;

Resilient means, such as spring- 98, may be provided around actuator rod50, wherein the lower end of the spring engages flange 920i a springpressure nut 94, which slidably engages the outer portion of:a diaphragmrod guide 96, the lower end of which is threadably received within theintermediate element 14 of bracket 12. A spring adjusting wheel; 98threadably engages the outer face ofth diaphragm rod guide, it beingnoted that the upper face- I80 of adjusting wheel 98- engages the lowerportion of nut, 92.

The upper end of spring 90; isreceived within: undercut portion Illiiofthe diaphragm pressure nut 86.

From the foregoing it will be observed that spring 98 will normally andyieldably urge actuator rod 50 upwardly, away from housing 58, fornormally shifting valve 3Ilto the upper end of its stroke.

Chamber D is in open communicationwith the interior of a cylinder I22,the interior of which may be filled with a suitable thermal'responsivefluid Orgas which will normally fill chamber D and exert a counter-forceon diaphragm 84' in a direction for urging valve 381:0- ward the lowerend of' its stroke. The interior of' chamber D is in open communicationwith the cylinder I22 by means of a suitable fitting [I0 and a length oftubing Il2'.

In operation of the valve a suitable source of hot fluid may, by way ofexample, be connected to inlet port I0 of chamber A and a suitablesource of cold fluid, under pressure, connected to inlet port [2, ofchamber 33; The hot and cold fluids from chambers A and B, respectively,will be discharged through their respective orific ports I8 and 28 intochamber C, in which they will be mixed whereby the fluid dischargedthrough port M will be of a temperature between the temperatures of thehot and cold fluids entering ports I 8 and I2.

Port I4 is normally in open communication with the interior of a tank,chamber, or the like, the temperature of the fluid in which it isdesired to keep at a constant, predetermined temperature. Cylinder I22is received or located in the fluid in the container or chamber housingthe fluid, the temperature of which is to be controlled. The temperatureconditions existing within cylinder I22 resulting the establishment of acertain pressure within chamber D; Byproper manipulation of springadjusting wheel 98, the force resisting the downward movement ofactuating rod: 50, as induced byv the-pressure within chamber D, may be,selectively and accurately determined whereby the temperature of fluiddischarged through port I4 may be ac. curately preselected.

Having once determined the setting required to insure the desiredtemperature of fluid being discharged from. port I4, any increase ordecrease. in the temperature of the. fluid in which cylinder I22 issubmerged, will result in an increase or decrease of the pressureexisting with: in chamber D, which will be translated tolinear motion ofactuator rod 58 and sliding valve 38. In this manner the proportions ofhot and cold fluids. entering chamber 0 from chambers A and B will beaccurately controlled.

Experiments and. actual commercial. installae, tions embodying theinstant mixing valve for use in controlling the temperature of water.in. X-ray film processing tanks have conclusively established that myvalve is extremely sensitive to the slightest. temperature fluctuation.occur. ring. in the fluid in which cylinder I22 is sub? merged. Even thesmallesttemperature fluctuaa tion will result in an immediate movementof slide valve 38 for altering the proportion. of. hot and cold fluidsuntilthe temperature fluctuation. has been nullified.

Highly satisfactory results are obtained from the device disclosed: inFigs. 1 and 2-, however in those instances wherein. it isdesirable. ornecessary to provide means for controlling, the volumetric flow; of:fiuidfrom port I 4, the; volume control illustrated in. Figs. 47-7 maybe associated;

with, the device oiFig. 2merely by removingre taining means H8 forenabling:adifierenthousa ing I32 containing: portsA. and Bandadifierentorificeplate I58 to beassociated with housing 58.

With reference. now. to. Figs. 4-7, the numeral. I60 represents anorifice plate having portsv I88 and I28 therethrough for interconnectingchamebers A and B with chamber C, as in Fig. 2. As.- best disclosedinFig. 7, ports- IBiland I28 maybe elongated, as illustrated, fora reasonhereinafter; made more fully-apparent. An orifice gate288is-providedinxeach of chambers A and B forwith a plate 204 having acam groove 206 provided therein. Each of gates 200 is secured to shafts208, the other ends of which terminate in a lever 210 to which a camfollower H2 is secured, it being understood that followers 212 arereceived within their respective cam grooves 206.

Cap 202 is mounted for rotation about the axis of retaining member 2l4suitably secured to housing 216, in which chambers A and B arecontained.

From the foregoing it will be observed that rotation of cap 202 willresult in synchronous movement of shafts 208 and their respective gates200 for uniformly varying the areas of ports I80 and In this manner Ihave provided a mixing valve which is not only characterized by itsextreme sensitivity to pressure changes, but which includes a built-involume control which greatly enhances the utility of the device andeliminates the need for separate valves and cooks in the supply linesleading to ports I0 and 12 of cham bers A and B, respectively.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications in thestructural details of the device may be made, within the scope of theappended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A mixing valve comprising a first, a second, and a third chamber, aport in each of said chambers, an orifice plate including a pair ofparallel, opposite, axial faces mounted between the third and said firstand second chambers, said plate having a pair of passagewaystherethrough the opposite ends of which terminate in two ports in eachaxial face, one of said passageways interconnecting said first and thirdchambers, the second passageway interconnecting said second and thirdchambers, means in each of said first and second chambers forselectively engaging the orifice-plate-ports in one axial face foruniformly varying their respective areas for controlling the rate offlow of fiuid therethrough, a slide valve located in the third chamberdimensioned to selectively engage the ports in the other axial face ofsaid orifice plate for proportionately varying their relative openings,and means operative for shifting said slide valve relative to saidports.

2. A mixing valve comprising a first, a second, and a third chamber, aport in each of said chambers, an orifice plate including a pair ofparallel, opposite, axial faces mounted between the third and said firstand second chambers, said plate having a pair of passagewaystherethrough the opposite ends of which terminate in two ports in eachaxial face, one of said passageways interconnecting said first and thirdchambers, the second passageway interconnecting said second and thirdchambers, means in each of said first and second chambers forselectively engaging the ports in one axial face of the orifice-platefor uniformly varying their respective areas for controlling the rate offlow of fluid therethrough, a slide valve located in the third chamberdimensioned to selectively engage the ports in the other axial face ofsaid orifice plate for proportionately varying their relative openings,means operative for yieldably urging said slide valve in seatingrelationship with said orifice plate, and other means operative forshifting the slide valve relative to said ports.

3. A mixing Valve comprising a first, a second, and a third chamber, aport in each of said cham- 6. bers, an orifice plate including a pair ofparallel, opposite axial faces mounted between the third and said firstand second chambers, said plate having a pair of passagewaystherethrough the opposite ends of which terminate in two ports in eachaxial face, one of said passageways interconnecting said first and thirdchambers, the second passageway interconnecting said second and thirdchambers, means located in each of said first and second chambers forselectively engaging the ports in one axial face of the orifice-platefor uniformly varying their respective efiective areas for controllingthe rate of how of fluid therethrough, means operatively interconnectingsaid first mentioned means for synchronizing their operatingcharacteristics, a slide valve located in the third chamber dimensionedto selectively engage the ports in the other axial face of said orificeplate for proportionately varying their relative openings, and meansoperative for shifting said slide valve relative to said ports.

4. A mixing valve comprising a first, a second, and a third chamber, aport in each of said chambers, an orifice plate including a pair ofparallel opposite axial faces mounted between the third and said firstand second chambers, said plate having a pair of passagewaystherethrough the opposite ends of which terminate in two ports in eachaxial face, one of said passageways interconnecting said first and thirdchambers, the second passageway interconnecting said second and thirdchambers, means located in each of said first and second chambers forselectively engaging the ports in one axial face of the orifice-platefor uniformly varying their respective effective areas for controllingthe rate of flow of fluid therethrough, manually operable means forsynchronizing the operating characteristics of said means, a slide valvelocated in the third chamber dimensioned to selectively engage the portsin the other axial face of said orifice plate for proportionatelyvarying their relative openings, and means operative for shifting saidslide valve relative to said ports in response to temperature changesoccurring in an area in open communication with the port of said thirdchamber.

5. A mixing valve comprising a first, a second,

and a third chamber, a port in each of said ried by that end of eachshaft remote from its associated gate, a-follower secured to and carriedby each of said levers, a rotatable cap member, cam means secured to andcarried by said cap, said followers engaging said cam means, a slidevalve located in the third chamber dimensioned to selectively engage theports in said orifice plate for proportionately varying their relativeopenings, and means operative for shifting said slide valve relative tosaid ports in response to temperature changes occurring in an area inopen communication with the port or said third chamber.

6. A- mixing valve comprising a first, a second;

and a third chamber, a portineach of said.

chambers, anorifice platebetween the thirdand said first and secondchambers, said plate pro-- vided' with two ports,- one interconnectingsaid first and third chambers, the second intercomnecting said secondand third chambers; a slide valve located inthe third chamberdimensioned to' selectively engage the ports in said orifice plate forproportionately varying their relative openings, slide val-ve guidemeans secured to and carriedby said orifice plate, means-'secured-to andcarried by said guide means. for yieldably urging saidvalve incontacting relationship. with theorifice plate; and means forshiftingsaid' valve relative to the ports i'n saidorifice plate.

7-; A mixing valve comprising'a first, a second, and a third chamber;aport in each of said chambers, an orifice plate between thethird andsaid first and second chambers; said plate provided with two ports, oneinterconnecting said first and third chambers, the secondinterconmeeting said second and third chambers, a slideva-lve located inthe third chamber dimensioned to selectively engage the ports in saidorifice plate for proportionately varying their relative openings,slide-valve guide meanssecured toandcarried bysaid orificeplate; meanssecured to and carried bysaid guidemeansfor yieldably urging saidslide-valve in' contacting relationship with the orificeplate, a pair ofaxially aligned: guide-- ways in said third chamber, acoupling elementincluding-1a guide portion receivable in and slidably engaging one ofsaid' guideways, means spanning and interconnecting the coupling ele--mentwith the slide-valve, and an actuator rod slidably engaging theother of said guideways and connectedto said coupling element.

8.. A mixing valve comprisinga-first; asecond,

and; a third chamber; a port in each of: said andcin spaced relationshipwith each of'said guideelements, means interconnecting said struts onewith, each.side of said valvefor yieldably urging said valve incontacting relationship with the orifice plataa. coupling element.dimensioned: to be loosely received between said. last' mentioned meansand between adjacent portions of said. struts and slide. valve,-, a pinspanning and inter-- connecting the coupling element. and slide valvefor transmittingmovement of saidelement to said valve and means.engaging said coupling. element. fornimpartingllinear.movementthereto.

9...A mixing valve: comprising a. first, a second.

and a thirdchambeigaport in. each of said: cham bers an. orifice platebetween the third andsaid' first and second chambers, said plateprovided with two ports, one interconnecting said first and thirdchambers, the second interconnecting said second and third chambers,aslide-valve located in the third chamber dimensionedto selectivelyengage the ports; in said orifice plate for proper tionately varyingtheir relative openings; slidevalveguidemeans securedto and carried bysaid orifice: plate, means. secured to and carried by said guide meansfor yielda'bly urging said valve: in contacting: relationship with theorifice plate, a pair of axially aligned guideways in said thirdchamber; one. disposed entirely withinsaid chamber; the: secondextending" through the chamber wall, a coupling element including adepending guide: portion slidably engaging the'first of saidguideways,an actuator rod extending through and slidably engaging the other ofsaid guideways connected to said couplingelement inaxialalignment withbut remote from said guide portionr means perpendicular with the axisoftravel of said coupling element spanning and connecting said elementto the slide-valve freeof axial pres-- surethereagainst.

10. A mixing valve comprising a first, a second, and a third chamber, aport in each of said chambers, an orifice plate between the third andsaid first and second chambers, said plate provided with two ports, oneinterconnectin'gsaid first and third chambers, the secondinterconnecting the second and third chambers, a flat, substantiallyrectangular slide valve including substantially parallel side and endedges, said valve located in the third chamber with its side edgesdimensioned- The" follovn'ngjreierences are of record in' the file ofthis patent:'

UNITED STATES; PATENTS Number Name Date 1,153,547" Finney Sept. 14,19151,854,918 Adams Apr. 19,- 1932* 1,934,982 Jones Nov. 14, 1933' 1,942,269Davies et a1 Jan; 2, 1934 2,001,318: Spence May 14, 1935 2,083,876.Snediker June 15, 1937 2 $65,458 J ordani h Mar. 29,1949

